Dinner came and went with no issues on the surface. On the contrary, it actually went really well.
All, even Miyanna, were talking about the baby's name depending on its gender, with everyone realizing Blanc's sense of naming, well, sucked.
But it was an enjoyable dinner for the five, one that made it appear as if everything was back to a calmer state. But it wasn't, not for Celine, who knew what Blanc was soon to do, and not for Blanc, who prepared himself for it in silence.
Not letting even the slightest suspicion of his plan leak to the others.
While they were still talking, the group gradually began heading off for their daily bath, just as they had every day since arriving here. It was a simple ritual, but a comforting one. Refreshing and good for their health.
Blanc was the last to go, letting Kael and Lune bathe first so they could be in bed and asleep by the time he finished.
Miyanna and Celine were next, half the time bathing together so they could chat casually. And the other half, Celine, made sure to go in with Blanc, even if it let Miyanna bathe alone. It did not matter to him, and especially not now.
"The bath is free, love," Celine said to Blanc as they walked up the stairs and exited the room.
Bronze and Sapphire were the only things Blanc could see in front of his gray eyes as he stared dumbfounded towards the kitchen.
A beautiful description that made sense if other people were to see what he saw.
Two women, different in standing, with lives perhaps so different that it would have been easier to compare the sky and the earth than their experiences. Yet they were both beautiful.
Both had a charm to the way they both so differently walked and talked, that would keep one looking at the two, unable to divert their eyes.
And their bodies… oh, the beauty of the Vita is unmatched.
Blanc made sure to only watch Celine as she walked, but something in his soul made it hard to ignore the woman walking next to her.
Their bodies were almost the same height, with forms that would be hard to explain without one being able to be blessed enough to have such a sight in front.
But both of them were magnificent.
They were clothed as they left the bath, yet their wet hair and body only kept Blanc's imagination running amok, even if he did not wish for it, or how less it mattered who he wished to imagine naked, his mind fairly doing it for both ladies.
If one could call that 'fairly'.
But the most magnificent of all was how both their eyes shone as they left the kitchen.
Bronze and Sapphire, indeed. It felt precious, expensive even.
But now his eyes could not focus on the jewels they used as eyes.
"Perfect," he nodded, grabbing the clothes he had prepared for himself to change into.
He walked past the two, eyes locked on the ground, lost in thought.
Yet others had other plans for him than to leave him be.
"Blanc," said Miyanna suddenly as he passed them, "Can we talk?"
"Now might not be the best of times to have a conversation with me, Miyanna," replied Blanc with a sharp exhale.
"Please," Miyanna muttered.
Blanc sighed, turning towards the two women and facing Miyanna.
"I do not know nor care for the reason," Blanc began, "But you waited for days, never saying a word, but chose to mutter them now, of all times. Please, we will talk another time."
Miyanna remained stuck on her feet, but soon gave up, even if this rejection clearly stung her a fair bit.
"Told you so," whispered Celine in Miyanna's ear, "Come, leave him be, for now."
The water in the bath was perfect as always, yet now it felt cold to his skin, letting himself float around, watching the cave ceiling aimlessly.
He could not wait to leave. To finally get answers. Whatever those may be.
Inaction is the worst form of action, my son Elion said to him once in the past, when Valar's fiancée at that time had died, and he did not know what to do to comfort his older brother.
So he, as a child, chose the obvious thing, to avoid Valar in hopes of making it easier for him to get past the pain he felt. A thing Valar never managed to succeed in, to this day.
He regretted it. Though he knew that nothing he, as a child, could have said that would have change that outcome.
Yet he wanted to make sure never to repeat that kind of mistake. There were too many important things now. Things one may not be able to just get past if they wait for too long.
However, the air felt heavy in his chest. As prepared as he was to get his answers, he could not ignore the simple fact that he was afraid.
And oh, how scared he was to find the answers he looked for. Yet it was required of him. Celine and their unborn child's health were more important than his fears, even if it may not be real.
But so was Kael and Lune's health and safety. They could not stay locked in here for months. They would sooner go mad than get used to this life.
They were young Noble Bloods who lived in luxury for their entire existence, with nothing wrong going on. They missed their books, they missed their beds, they missed the comfort of a home. And worst of all, they missed their family, their parents. But so did Blanc. Of course, he did.
What boy really becomes a man the day they turn an adult?
None.
Because of that, he understood them best. But he was not a boy any longer. He will be a father. And fathers must do what they are supposed to do.
Protect, defend, even if it is difficult to do so. Even if he is scared to do so.
He would still have to do it.